Chapter 15
After three days of co-existing in the penthouse together, Logan decided that they needed to go, three days earlier than originally planned. Everything had long been packed and stacked by the elevator with the exception of the Eyes Only paraphernalia of which they were taking but a small portion. Zack stood and watched as Logan and Max and Bling considered which electronics would be essential to their next mission. Four more bags were finally added to the growing tower in the foyer. Bling raised his eyebrows over Logan's head as he surveyed the haul. Max, strategically positioned at Logan's side, winked in response.
Thankfully or regrettably, Bennett had commandeered the Cale Industries jet for their travel so there was little limitation on the amount of luggage they could take. Bling finally gave up trying to talk any semblance of sense into Logan and just began the transport of baggage from the apartment to the Aztek. Max attempted to get Logan to try to get some sleep before their morning departure but abandoned that pursuit after about 30 minutes. Finally, Logan gave in and called Bennett who had a pilot on 24-hour stand-by. They headed to the airport where Bennett and Marianne met them with overnight bags in hand.
"We decided to come along. Is that okay?" Bennett asked, almost sheepishly.
"I summoned your jet and pilot at 10:30 pm for a flight to Hawaii. I think you get to do whatever you want. Besides, the more the merrier." Logan decided with a shrug.
"Well, in that case, we may stay for a while," Marianne blurted.
"Yeah?" Max spun on her heel. "Is that an option?"
Marianne nodded. "Hawaii's a long way, and we have our other bags in the car. We just didn't want to impose."
"It's no imposition, Marianne. Bennett," Logan turned to him. "I didn't know you could take the time." He shook his head. "I'm sorry I didn't even think to ask."
"Don't worry. Marianne is happy to insert herself into anyone's plans," Bennett reassured with a glance over at his wife, who had already pulled Max toward their car where the two of them had begun unpacking while Zack and Bling worked on the Aztek.
"This is actually a great idea. I can't believe I didn't extend the invitation," Logan repeated.
"It's okay. I know you've had a lot on your mind." Logan nodded absently as he watched the others work with the crew to load the plane. Bennett observed his cousin processing the scene in front of them. He placed his hand on Logan's shoulder, reclaiming the other man's attention.
"What? I'm sorry. I'm just way, way more anxious about this that I'm letting on, than I should be."
"It's a big deal, Logan. A really big deal. And I'm assuming it's taken a lot of work to get things together here."
Logan nodded again. "That. And it didn't work once before. Or it almost did. Or something like that." He didn't want to get into the Dr. Vertes and Manticore saga here on the tarmac.
Bennett started to speak but stopped and sighed instead. He finally managed, "I wish I'd known what was going on."
"It's okay."
"It's not okay," Bennett shot back. "We're pretty much the only family we have around here."
"You have your parents."
Bennet rolled his eyes. "Like I said, we only have each other. And these guys." He nodded toward Marianne, Max, Zack, and Bling.
"It's a solid crew."
"Seems entirely solid."
"I am glad you're here, Ben."
"No one has called me that for so long. Not since your mom. My dad hated it," he finished with a grin.
"I think that might be why she did it," Logan offered.
"She was a really great lady."
"I don't know how she put up with my dad sometimes."
"We're going doing to do things differently, you and me."
Logan glanced up at his cousin with a firm set of his jaw. They were not nor would they become their fathers. "Absolutely."
From across the runway, Max turned back to look for the two Cale men. Marianne noticed the pause in her action and called to the guys. "You two getting on the plane?"
"That also appears to be a pretty great lady," Logan chuckled.
"Oh man, I have no idea what possessed her to take a chance on me. But I'm going to make the best of every minute she gives me."
"Yeah." Logan recognized the feeling.
"We'd better get a move on. They're liable to leave without us."
"Would they do that?" Logan laughed.
"Unlikely. I pay them."
"True. Best not to leave the hand that feeds you or whatever."
"Probably not," Bennett agreed.
Logan unlocked his brakes and moved toward the others. Bennett followed. "Tell me this is going to be okay," he requested, not looking back.
Bennett kept walking beside him. "This is going to be okay."
Logan's body, which hadn't really slept in about three days, relaxed in a bit of a heap on the couch he and Max had occupied on the way to LA. He blinked drowsily as Max helped him settle into a more comfortable position and covered him with a blanket. Then, she reached around his waist and buckled him in.
His hand brushed her arm as she stood. "Thanks, Max."
She gauged the distance between their seats, not liking the lack of proximity. "Will you be okay here?"
"Yeah."
"I've gotta take a seat so we can take off." She pointed to her place.
"I'm good, Hun. Thanks."
She reached down and kissed his cheek. "Sleep."
"Yeah," he murmured, eyes already closed.
Max slid into the seat beside Zack and secured her seat belt. Zack leaned against her arm as he spoke. "I've never met anyone who sleeps less than you until I spent the past three days with that guy."
"He usually sleeps more than that. It's just been a long week."
Zack lowered his voice. "How's he gonna handle things if they don't go well?"
"We'll deal with that if it happens," Max whispered through clenched teeth.
"I'm not an idiot Max. I've read up on what we're about to do here. The odds are not in his favor."
"Sounds like you've been reading more than scientific journals."
"Just because you can't sit still long enough to get into a good book doesn't mean I can't. And you're trying to change the subject. Are you prepared to pick up pieces if this goes sideways?"
Max shrugged. "That's why I brought you guys – you and Bling. And then I thought that might not be enough, so I called Marianne and Bennett."
"So you're the one behind Mr. and Mrs. Howell's presence?"
Max scowled at him. "Who gave you access to classic TV?"
"You did. At the cabin. They have a VCR and taped episodes of Gilligan's Island and M*A*S*H. Could come in handy if we get stranded at sea. Or caught in a war."
"As far as I know it's peacetime in Hawaii."
"Good to know." Zack nodded before he turned away from her. He stared out the window into the dark expanse for a moment before he spoke again. "I read up on you doctor, too. If anyone can make this happen, it's her."
Max moved to look out over his shoulder. "Yeah. Maybe that's what worries me. All of our eggs are in her basket."
"Well, it is the best possible basket."
"Thanks for the attempt at the pep talk."
He turned back to face her. "I'm not so great at pep. But I am careful and prepared. You know that, and it seems like your boy is, too."
Max nodded. "He's very thorough."
"He's very lucky."
"To have this many people who care about him? Yeah he is."
"That's not exactly what I mean, but yeah, that, too."
"Thank you for being part of this. For being the most important part of this, actually."
"We'll take care of him. Whatever happens here, we've got your back."
Max nodded again, not immediately trusting her words. "I'm pretty strong, but I can't do this alone."
"You're not alone, Maxie. Not anymore."
Max glanced over to Logan, sleeping soundly on the couch. A smile tugged at the edge of her mouth as she leaned back against her seat, allowing herself to relax a little now that they were finally on their way. "Yeah, I'm figuring that out."
TBC